Guide to the best bars in Islington

Homeboy Bar in Islington is ranked as one of Europe’s leading cocktail bars. This brick-walled venue offers both classic and contemporary cocktails along with friendly service. If you’re not a cocktail lover, there’s champagne, beers, and spirits too. The kitchen here is open, serving snacks and a Sunday roast.

For over 10 years Little Bat has been growing a big reputation for cocktails in Islington. This is an award-winning local bar that's stylish and slick. You can expect creative signature cocktails, plus a concise selection of wine and beer. From the kitchen, enjoy snacks as well as a roast on Sundays.

Also known as the bar with no name, 69 Colebrooke Row is a place to enjoy cocktails and live music. This award-winning bar puts its own stamp on favourite cocktails, but classic cocktails are also available upon request. Live music is on every Thursday, covering genres like blues and rock 'n' roll.

If you're passionate about wine, don't miss Humble Grape. This is an airy and contemporary wine bar with a friendly atmosphere and more than 400 varieties of wine. Most bottles are organic, biodynamic, or natural. Food is served and there are events held frequently like tasting and special promotions.

Someday in Finsbury Park has a real buzz around it. This is a buzzy bar that specialises in margaritas and spritzes in a huge choice of flavours, but has a broad range of other drinks available too. There’s plenty of seating, lively music, and street food and pizza at this contemporary venue.

If you love craft beer then check out House of Hammerton. There are 20 beer lines, four cask lines, plus numerous cans and bottles, giving guests loads of choice. Expect beers from Hammerton Brewery as well as top picks from all over the world. Events like weekly pub quizzes also take place.

Close to Highbury station you can sample eclectic craft beers and food at Brewhouse & Kitchen. This modern bar has a vast range of craft brews available and beers are brewed on-site too. There’s ample indoor and outdoor seating. The food menu includes popular pub grub like burgers and sandwiches.

Wine lovers in Islington will appreciate Oak N4, located close to Finsbury Park station. This smart local wine shop and bar has approximately 180 diverse bottles to drink in or take home, including wine by the glass, and antipasti is served too. The bar also hosts regular tasting events.

For rock 'n' roll and live music try Slim Jim's in Upper Street. This place is known for its jet-black walls, energetic live performances, jukebox loaded with classics, and ceiling covered in bras. A wide range of whiskeys are served at the bar but classic cocktails and craft beer are available too.

Laki Kane transports you to a tropical island without even leaving Islington. Expect tropical cocktails and plenty of rum served in a vibrant tiki bar setting. There are lots of fruity flavours here and you can order sharing cocktails and shots presented in an eye-catching way. There’s a pan-Asian restaurant on-site too.

You don't come to Highbury Library looking for a good paperback - despite the name, this is a contemporary local wine bar that specialises in natural, biodynamic, and organic vintages, as well as orange wines. Cocktails are available too. Sit indoors and listen to the vinyl playlist or enjoy the spacious garden area.

Yield N1 is a laid-back Highbury bottle shop and wine bar. Indoor and outdoor seating is available and you can choose from a changing selection of wines by the glass or bottle. You can also choose canned or bottled beer from the shop to drink in. For nibbles, expect small plates and boards.

Spacious American dive bar Big Red is a popular destination for late-night drinks in Holloway. The moodily-lit black interior is packed with memorabilia and atmosphere, and there are pool tables, a rock and metal jukebox, and street food like burgers. There’s a full range of drinks including cocktails and craft beer.

The Night Owl is Finsbury Park's lively late-night destination with a laid-back vibe. It attracts a vibrant crowd with its friendly atmosphere, fully-stocked bar, dancefloor, and events programme of DJ sets and live music. Located next to the bus and tube station, you won't have any trouble stumbling home afterwards.

It's a riot of colour when you step inside Barrio in Angel, a lively destination serving classic cocktails and inventive signature mixes. Spanish and South American wines are also offered. Lots of events take place at this vibrant bar like themed bottomless brunches, cocktail-making masterclasses, happy hour, and DJ sets.

Head to Lucky Voice if you want to sing, dance, and enjoy delicious drinks along the way. This karaoke bar has private booths so you're free to let loose. The bar serves up signature cocktails, spirits, and wine so you can knock back any stage fright. Pizza and nibbles are also available.

Contemporary wine bar Top Cuvée does drinks and small plates, but wine is the main event. What’s available changes frequently but natural wines are the focus. You can also choose cocktails or craft beer. Top Cuvée’s sister shop is just round the corner for buying a bottle to take home.

The Nook is cosy by name and cosy by nature. This is a wine bar, deli, and eatery run by a husband and wife team. Classic and natural wines are available from all over the world, including London. Seasonal food menus are served every day and you can buy ingredients to take home.

If you want a fun community and lively vibe, check out Meltdown, the bar dedicated to gaming. Located in Caledonian Road, this place offers a huge choice of electronic and board games, plus drinks. Choose a themed signature cocktail or go for draft beer, including Meltdown's own brand of lager.

You'll go on a journey when you enter Hoxley & Porter, surrounded by global influences and 1900s-inspired interiors. The restaurant serves classic British and European cuisine and the cocktail bar offers a vibrant collection of signature and sharing cocktails, shooters, and wine, with happy hour running four days a week.

Opened in 2023, The 411 is a lively New York-style neighbourhood bar. This place is full of pulsing energy and puts on regular events like bottomless pizza nights to get the atmosphere going. Delicious food and cocktails are served here, accompanied by great music and a welcoming and vibrant feel.

Have some fun with social darts at Flight Club in Angel. This fun bar is cosy yet sophisticated, offering guests semi-private darts playing areas where you can unleash your competitive streak. There are cocktails and plenty of food options, plus the venue does a lively brunch with limitless pizza at the weekend.